Hey, Is this the start of the end of Virat Kohli?
Difficult to tell though. Age is against him. What do you think?
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Virat Kohli
Alright, buckle up because Virat Kohli’s Test journey from May 2023 to December 2024 is a tale of epic highs, cringe-worthy lows, and plenty of moments where you probably yelled at your screen.
Picture this: Kohli, the epitome of consistency for over a decade, suddenly looks human. His struggle with the bat during this period could make you question if he accidentally picked up the wrong-sized bat!, which as you know is ridiculous. Across various Test series, he averaged a modest 26.64 in 2024, . Kohli had some bizarre dismissals in this period. Imagine walking into a match as the legendary King Kohli, only to get out on single digits… again. By November 2024, memes about his struggles were trending harder than cricket stats. Every time a spinner came on, you could feel the collective anxiety of Indian fans. It wasn’t just bad form; it was un-Kohli-like hesitation. “Is King Kohli Done?” headlines were everywhere. Even his usual nemeses (spinners and pesky medium-pacers) seemed to have more tricks up their sleeves than ever.
In matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand, Kohli’s dismissals were like watching a bad rom-com—predictable and painful. From loose shots to being undone by turning deliveries, it felt like he was caught in an unending nightmare.
Fast forward to November 2024. You’re on your couch, slightly skeptical but still hopeful and he repeats it again. Out on a low score in the first innings. There, that's an confirmation that it's true, a continuity from the New Zealand drubbing in India. But then, in the second innings, Kohli steps onto the pitch in Perth against Australia and... boom! He scores a gritty, unbeaten 100, ending a year-long Test century drought. The crowd roared, Kohli kissed the badge, and cricket Twitter finally breathed a collective sigh of relief. This wasn’t just any century; it was vintage Kohli—determined, precise, and dramatic (he even smacked a six off Starc for good measure).
You could almost hear him saying, “Write me off at your own risk.”
What's Next For Kohli
Despite the tough run, Kohli’s aura never dimmed. His partnerships with emerging stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal showed that even when his bat wasn’t firing, his cricketing brain was. I am not taking anything away from our raising stars like Jaiswal. His innings was brilliant and he gets the kudos, not Kohli. And that Perth century proved he still has ice in his veins when it matters.
Plain and simple. Kohli’s inconsistency during this period became a talking point. His inability to convert starts into big scores frustrated fans and analysts alike. It wasn’t that he lost his talent —he just couldn’t string together the performances everyone expected from him.
If you were Kohli during this phase, you’d probably need a pep talk. It was a mixed bag of brilliance and struggles. Yes, there were far too many low scores, but that century in Perth reminded the world why Kohli is a modern-day great. He’s like your favorite series—sometimes the episodes drag, but the season finale always delivers.
As a fan, all you can do is stay tuned because, with Kohli, there’s always a twist around the corner.
So, was this his best phase? Not by a long shot. But it proved one thing: writing Kohli off is a mistake. If cricket is a soap opera, Virat Kohli’s story from 2023 to 2024 was filled with suspense, heartbreak, and just enough redemption to keep us hooked.
All said and done, he is 36 years old and in this fast paced game, not just instincts, reaction times matter. Being fit is good, but then, you cannot retain the reaction times that the golden age of being young provides. At the best, we can slow it down. No matter, 36+ should make him pause and think about ...? Well, he's had his day, many, many days.
As of this date, Kohli has failed yet again, in the first and second innings of Adelaide 2024 test match. Expectations from his fans are high. Even the most enthusiastic supporter, admirer, follower and well-wisher will do well to heed the voice in his mind.
Kohli's is a player of a generation, a player, the like of whom we will probably not see again. Best Wishes to him for another year at the most. You never know, how many other Kohli or his likes are waiting in the wings.